Key To Catch Rate Revealed In Study

December 7, 1986|By Don Wilson, Cheryl Gordon and Max Branyon.

A three-year study at Tenoroc State Reserve shows that some techniques for regulating fishing pressure can produce better catch rates. The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission found that catch-and-release and slot- limit rules can more than double anglers catch rates. On one lake where fishermen had to release all bass, the catch rates were .44 bass per hour. On another, with a slot limit requiring release of all fish between 16 and 22 inches long, the catch rate was .53 bass per hour. Both rates are double the statewide average and were far better than those on another Tenoroc lake, where three months of uncontrolled fishing saw catch rates drop to .17 bass per hour. Game and fish commission biologists see the results as proof that controlling fishing pressure can help prevent overfishing and declining catches. ''Although these regulations may not be necessary or applicable on a statewide basis, Florida's soaring population may someday face the choice between management by regulation where needed or poor bass fishing,'' said Phil Chapman, the fisheries biologist who supervised the study.

CRAPPIETHON. A crappie (speckled perch) fishing tournament is slated for Dec. 15 through Feb. 14 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Some 500 speckled perch have been tagged offering anglers a chance to reel in $170,450. Many fish are worth $1,000 each. The minimum for any tagged fish is $25. Entry fee is $45 per two-man team. For more information contact Crappiethon headquarters at (205) 353-8447. Also, rules and entry forms are available at many local tackle shops and marinas.

HUNTING

Big Bucks. Two-hundred-pound deer are uncommon in Central Florida, but local hunters got two this hunting season. The big bucks both came from the Richloam Wildlife Management area. Robert Harvey, of Dade City, shot a 200- pound, 11-point buck, and John Thorpe, of Lakeland, took a 7-point buck that weighed 205 pounds. The deer were the largest of 844 deer taken on public hunting areas between Nov. 15 and Nov. 30.

BOATING

SURPRISE RESPONSE. More than 60 yachts have already signed up for next year's prestigious Southern Ocean Racing Conference series, that starts in St. Petersburg, Thursday, Feb. 26, with the race to and from Boca Grande. The series will start a month later than in previous years because of the America's Cup racing in Australia. Last year 56 boats were registered to compete.

A DOZEN WEEKS DOWN. Seventeen of the 19 boats that left Cape Town, South Africa on Nov. 15 are still in the race as the BOC Challenge marked its 12th week of action. Titouan Lamazou was well in the lead with his boat Ecureuil D'Aquitaine as the remaining fleet headed for Sydney, Australia on the single- handed, round-the-world race's second leg. Warren Luhrs' Thursday's Child, which was built in Cocoa, was in 15th place, 4,998 miles from the finish and 990 miles behind the leader. Luhrs departed Cape Town more than 40 hours late after returning to solve water ballast pump and autopilot problems.